Osteoprotegerin Gene as a Biomarker in the Development of Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women

Osteoporosis is a multifactorial and polygenic disease caused by an imbalance between osteoclastogenesis and osteoblastogenesis, leading to a decrease in bone mineral density and the occurrence of disorders in the microarchitecture and metabolism of bone tissue. In postmenopausal women, there is a significant decrease in the production of estrogens, which play a key role in maintaining proper bone mineral density. Estrogens have an inhibitory effect on the development and activity of osteoclasts by reducing the synthesis of pro-resorption cytokines and stimulating the expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG). Osteoprotegerin is a cytokine that prevents bone loss by inhibiting the process of osteoclastogenesis, reducing bone resorption. The aim of our study was to determine the influence of the rs3102735 (-163A>G), rs3134070 (-245T>G), rs207361 (-950T>C), rs7844539 (6890A>C), and rs2073618 (1181G>C) polymorphisms of the OPG gene on the risk of osteoporosis and osteopenia in postmenopausal Polish women. The study included 802 unrelated women (osteoporosis: n = 317, osteopenia: n = 110, controls: n = 375) at postmenopausal age (54.7 ± 8.6 years). Genetic analysis was performed using real-time PCR. BMD values as well as clinical and bone parameters with the tested polymorphisms were analyzed among the study population. Analysis of the PPARG rs1801282 variants did not show any association with the risk of osteoporosis and osteopenia. However, for the OPG rs207361 polymorphism, we observed a statistically significant association with the risk of osteoporosis, suggesting that the OPG rs207361 variant may be one of the genetic markers associated with the pathogenesis of osteoporosis.

The influence of ESR1 polymorphisms on selected hormonal, metabolic and mineral balance markers in women with hyperandrogenism

Hyperandrogenism is the most common endocrine disorder in women, characterized by an imbalance in normal estrogen and androgen levels in the blood. Androgens influence bone mineral density, body mass composition, muscle mass, mental state, and the regulation of sexual function.. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of estrogen receptor α gene (ESR1) polymorphisms on selected markers of bone metabolism and hormonal parameters in women with hyperandrogenism. The study group included 80 young women with hyperandrogenism who underwent measurements of bone mineral density (BMD), and determination of hormonal and metabolic parameters. Enzyme immunoassays were used to measure leptin, sRANKL (soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB ligand), osteoprotegerin and 25-OH vitamin D total levels. An analysis of ESR1 gene polymorphisms was performed using the real-time PCR method. A relationship was demonstrated between the concentration of free estradiol (FEI) and the concentration of 17-OH-progesterone, and the ESR1 gene polymorphisms: rs3020314 (p = 0.031, p = 0.026 respectively) and rs1884051 (p = 0.033, p = 0.026 respectively). In conclusion, the ESR gene polymorphisms may be associated with hormonal disturbances in the concentration of estrogens and androgens, in hyperandrogenism in young women which may indirectly affect bone mineral density. However, no statistically significant relationships between the studied polymorphisms and the selected parameters of mineral metabolism have been demonstrated..

Genetic Diversity of CYP3A5 and ABCB1 Variants in East-Central and South European Populations

BACKGROUND

CYP3A5 enzyme encoded by CYP3A5 is important for drug metabolism in gut and liver, whereas P-glycoprotein by ABCB1, is an ATP-dependent drug efflux pump which exports endo- and exogenous substances outside the cell. Aim: The study was to assess the prevalence of CYP3A5 alleles: *1, *2, *3, *4, *6 and *7, and C and T of ABCB1 in Poles, Belarusians and Bosnians and to compare it with the data reported from other European populations. Subjects and methods: Overall, 511 unrelated healthy subjects from Poland (n = 239), Belarus (n = 104) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (n = 168) were included in this study. Allele frequencies and statistical parameters (AMOVA version 2.9.3) were determined. Results: In Poles, Belarusians and Bosnians the *3 allele of CYP3A5 was the most common, and wild-type allele *1, were: 5.8%, 1.6% and 2.1%, respectively. Allele *2 was very rare, and alleles *4, *6 and *7 were not detected. For the populations mentioned above, the ABCB1 allele C was: 48.1%, 51.4%, 52.4%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

In compared populations, the distribution of CYP3A5 variants but not ABCB1, differed significantly. Alleles *4, *6 and *7 of CYP3A5 did not occur or occurred rarely.

Association of the CYP19A1 rs700518 Polymorphism with Selected Markers of Bone Metabolism in Women with Hyperandrogenism

Hyperandrogenism is the most common endocrine disorder in women, characterized by an imbalance of normal estrogen and androgen levels in the blood. Androgens play an important role in the female body because they influence bone mineral density (BMD), body mass composition, muscle mass, mental state, and the regulation of sexual function. The reduced activity of aromatase, due to mutations in the CYP19A1 gene, reduces the estrogen pool in favor of androgens. Clinically, aromatase deficiency causes hyperandrogenism in women. Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess the effect of the CYP19A1 gene polymorphism on selected markers of bone metabolism and hormonal parameters in women with hyperandrogenism. The study group was comprised of 80 young women with hyperandrogenism who underwent measurements of bone mineral density (BMD), and determination of hormonal and metabolic parameters. Enzyme immunoassays were used to measure leptin, total sRANKL (free and bound RANKL), osteoprotegerin, and total 25-OH Vitamin D. An analysis of the CYP19A1 gene polymorphisms was performed using the real-time PCR method. The GG genotype of the CYP19A1 rs700518 polymorphism turned out to be associated with: FEI (Free Estradiol Index), SHGB concentration, estradiol concentration, and insulin concentration determined in the glucose tolerance test 60’ compared to AG and AA genotypes. Patients with the AG genotype had a higher ratio of android to gynoid fat and a greater content of visceral adipose tissue. Higher visceral tissue content may reduce BMD. In conclusion, the study showed that the CYP19A1 rs700518 polymorphism may be associated with the distribution of adipose tissue in young women with hyperandrogenism. These results suggest that patients with the AG genotype may develop osteoporosis.

FCN1 polymorphisms are not the markers of dental caries susceptibility in Polish children: A case-control study

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association of four FCN1 SNPs: -542G>A (rs10120023), -144C>A (rs10117466), +6658C>T (rs148649884), and +7895A>G (rs150625869) with dental caries in Polish children.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The study group consisted of 261 15-year-old Polish teenagers: 82 children with "higher" caries experience (having Decayed Missing Filled Teeth, DMFT >5) and 179 children with "lower" caries experience (having DMFT ≤5). Moreover, in additional comparison, a group of 229 children with caries experience (DMFT ≥1) was compared to a caries-free (DMFT =0) group of 32 children. Extraction of genomic DNA was performed from buccal swabs, and genotyping was performed by Real-Time PCR.

RESULTS

FCN1 SNPs +6658C>T and +7895A>G appeared to be monomorphic in our sample. The genotype, allele, or haplotype distributions in FCN1 SNPs -542G>A and -144C>A in children with "higher" caries experience did not differ significantly from those in "lower" caries experience group. Similar results with no significant differences were demonstrated for subjects with DMFT ≥1 compared to subjects with DMFT =0.

CONCLUSION

FCN1 SNPs are not the markers of dental caries susceptibility in Polish children.

Analysis of Faecal Zonulin and Calprotectin Concentrations in Healthy Children During the First Two Years of Life. An Observational Prospective Cohort Study

Factors affecting the intestinal-barrier permeability of newborns, such as body mass index (BMI), nutrition and antibiotics, are assumed to affect intestinal-barrier permeability in the first two years of life. This study assessed 100 healthy, full-term newborns to 24 months old. Faecal zonulin/calprotectin concentrations were measured at 1, 6, 12, 24 months as gut-permeability markers. Zonulin concentrations increased between 1 and 12 months (medians: 114.41, 223.7 ng/mL; respectively), whereas calprotectin concentrations decreased between one and six months (medians: 149. 29, 109.28 µg/mL); both then stabilized (24 months: 256.9 ng/mL zonulin; 59.5 µg/mL calprotectin). In individual children, high levels at one month gave high levels at older ages (correlations: calprotectin: between 1 and 6 or 12 months: correlation coefficient (R) = 0.33, statistical significance (p) = 0.0095; R = 0.28, p = 0.032; zonulin: between 1 and 24 months: R = 0.32; p = 0.022, respectively). Parameters which gave marker increases: antibiotics during pregnancy (calprotectin; six months: by 80%, p = 0.038; 12 months: by 48%, p = 0.028); vaginal birth (calprotectin: 6 months: by 140%, p = 0.005); and > 5.7 pregnancy-BMI increase (zonulin: 12 months: by 74%, p = 0.049). Conclusions: “Closure of the intestines” is spread over time and begins between the sixth and twelfth month of life. Antibiotic therapy, BMI increase > 5.7 during pregnancy and vaginal birth are associated with increased intestinal permeability during the first two years of life. Stool zonulin and calprotectin concentrations were much higher compared with previous measurements at older ages; clinical interpretation and validation are needed (no health associations found).

Relationship between H1 and H2 haplotypes of the 17q21 inversion and pregnancy loss in Bosnian population: A case - control study

Background: The 17q21.31 band is one of the most structurally complex and evolutionarily dynamic region of the genome. Frequencies of two SNPs: rs9468 and rs1800547 determine worldwide distribution of H1 and H2 haplotypes. Recent studies have demonstrated that H2 haplotype is ancestral in hominoids and under positive selection in European populations. The role of non-inverted orientation (H1 haplotype) and inverted orientation (H2) remains unclear, i.a. it is suggested that mothers who are H1H2 heterozygotes, tend to have more children than H2H2 homozygotes on average. Materials and methods: We investigated the prevalence of haplotypes of the 17q21 inversion in 154 women with pregnancy loss and 154 mothers with at last one live-born child, mean age: 33.0 (±5.4) y/o and 31.4 (±6.7) y/o, respectively. Following DNA extraction from buccal swabs, the genotyping was performed. All tests were performed using the R CRAN statistical software. Haplotypes were compared between groups. Results: In women with and without pregnancy loss we identified: 74.7% and 79.2% H1H1, 24.0% and 17.5% H1H2 and 1.3% and 3.3% H2H2 of haplotypes, respectively. There were no significant differences between the distributions of haplotypes in women with and without pregnancy loss. Statistically significant difference between the average number of children in women with H1H2 haplotype (navg. = 1.54) compared to women with H2H2 haplotype (navg. = 1.29), was not found. Conclusion: Haplotype H2 of the 17q21.31 inversion was not linked to pregnancy loss and number of children in Bosnian women.

Expression profiling of genes modulated by rosmarinic acid (RA) in MCF-7 breast cancer cells

OBJECTIVES

Cancer is the second most common cause of death, with breast cancer (BC) as the most frequently diagnosed neoplasm among females. The origin of BC is multifactorial and depends on environmental and genetic factors. The disease presents a significant challenge due to its drug resistance and frequent metastasis. Thus, new effective therapies and metastasis prevention are much needed. Rosmarinic acid (RA) is a natural polyphenol which possesses the ability to inhibit BC cell proliferation and demonstrates cytotoxic properties against those cells. In our study, we examined the effect of RA on the expression of ZEB1, MDM2, ABCB1, PTEN and TWIST1 genes in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

MCF-7 cell cultures were treated with 0.2 μM doxorubicin (DOX) and 1.5, 15 or 50 μM of RA. Real-time PCR reaction was performed to analyze gene expression levels.

RESULTS

PCR analysis showed a significant increase of the ZEB1 gene expression, which was about 3-fold for DOX 0.2 μM, 9-fold for 0.2 μM DOX + 1.5 μM RA and 0.2 μM DOX + 15 μM RA (p < 0.05), and about 6.5-fold for 0.2 μM DOX + 50 μM RA (p < 0.05). Furthermore, a decrease of the MDM2 gene expression was observed in all of the examined variants and was about 40-75% (p < 0.05). No influence of DOX and RA combined with DOX on the ABCB1, TWIST1 and PTEN genes was found.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of our study suggest that RA might be used as an adjuvant therapeutic factor in BC treatment.

First Bosnian Study of the Relationship between APOE rs7412 and rs429358 Variants and Pregnancy Loss

Due to inconsistent results of APOE variants in the survival of pregnancy we investigated the potential relationship of APOE rs7412 and rs429358 with pregnancy loss (PL) in Bosnian women. We enrolled 154 women with PL. The minimum week of miscarriage was 6, while the maximum was 28. As a control group, an equal number of mothers with at least one live-born child was included. All women were recruited from the Institution of Health Protection of Women and Motherhood in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Genotyping was performed by real- time PCR at the Department of General Pharmacology and Pharmacoeconomics, Pomeranian Medical University. The prevalence of genotypes E2/E3, E2/E4, E3/E3, E3/E4, E4/E4 in the group with and without PL were: 14.3 %, 1.3 %, 70.8 %, 12.3 %, 1.3 %, and 13.6 %, 1.3 %, 70.1 %, 14.3 %, 0.7 %, respectively. The frequency of the E4/E4 genotype in women with 1-2 and 3-4 PL compared to women without PL did not differ significantly between those three groups (P value = 0.0712). The frequencies of alleles ԑ2, ԑ3, ԑ4 in the group with and without PL were: 6.8 %, 85.1 %, 8.1 % and 7.5 %, 84.1 %, 8.4 %, respectively, and did not differ significantly. We conclude that our study does not confirm rs7412 and rs429358 as a potential risk factor for PL in the studied group. To elucidate the relationship between PL and variants of the APOE gene, studies with a larger sample size and placental histomorphology and genetic diagnosis are required.

Polymorphism of vitamin D3 receptor and its relation to mineral bone density in perimenopausal women

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is the most common metabolic bone disease with important genetic factors. We evaluated the frequency of polymorphism 283G/A of the vitamin D3 VDR gene receptor. The study included 800 women at the postmenopausal (505) and reproductive (295) age. Statistically significant changes, depending on the genotype, were shown.

INTRODUCTION

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is the most common metabolic bone disease of strong genetic origin with population variability determined by the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Recognition of different genetic variants underlying development of osteoporosis would make it possible to administer individual symptomatic treatment as well as early prophylactics of osteoporosis.

METHODS

The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of polymorphism 283G/A of the vitamin D3 VDR gene receptor and assessment of its relations with the clinical parameters of osseous turnover and degree of postmenopausal osteoporosis. The study included 800 women at the postmenopausal (505) and reproductive (295) age throughout the Wielkopolska region in Poland. The postmenopausal group included women with osteoporosis and osteopenia and the healthy ones. Women at the reproductive age were healthy. Frequency of the tested gene polymorphism was evaluated in the group where bone mineral density (BMD) was marked and in the control group.

RESULTS

The obtained test results pointed to correlation of polymorphism VDR 283G/A with the BMD scores for the lumbar vertebrae in women with osteopenia and osteoporosis, therefore the ones at risk of fractures. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphism correlated with reduced BMD values.

CONCLUSIONS

Polymorphism 283G/A of the vitamin D3 receptor gene has been proved to be the genetic factor of postmenopausal osteoporosis. The polymorphism mentioned above has been proved to be a factor of mineral bone density changes of women.